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Scroll down for Summary of TEACHERS Information.

** Regarding The History of the Period
**And HOW to RUN the Play

Scroll down to the end to find how to-

**Download the Complete Play Documents as PDF.
**Download Slide Show of Pictures and History Information

 

THE PLAY 

1834 The Henty Family at Portland Victoria

 

REAL EVENTS------REAL PEOPLE


“1829 to 1839- the HENTY FAMILY LEFT England- for farmland at Perth W.A.-then farmland at Launceston V.DL-then TOOK farmland at Portland VIC, then
TERRA NULLIUS!!

AIM: A large English Family, after sending some sons and Servants (50) to Perth, then migrated to Tasmania, just when Land, that had to be purchased from the Government, became very expensive. The situation for the Family in Tasmania, and very unprofitable conditions around the Swann River land near Perth , made the Henty family desperate to find good land elsewhere. The land around modern day Portland seemed ideal.

A SIMPLE PLAY TO ENCOMPASS ALL the CLASS.

SHOULD OCCUPY 3 classroom periods only.

1 Signposts and Taste READINGS.by TEACHER

2 Select the PLAYERS. 3. Enjoy the PLAY.

HOW:

JOBS to be done:

1. To include ALL THE CLASS..A job can be found for ALL.
2. Signs, drawings, and simple uniforms or period clothes.
3. Equal speaking time for all participants.
4. A Historical commentary, and Introduction for each ACT, should allow Girls, to make up for the historical imbalance of men (Boys).
5. Understudies should be given a go.

 

TEACHER READ: With possibly Some light discussion to follow.

1. SIGNPOSTS to Early Australian History and the Play Setting.

2. Get a “TASTE of our early PEOPLE.”

SELECT:

1. Actors and Actresses.

MAKE SIMPLE: Uniforms or Clothing. Use a LARGE name SIGN.
READ: Directly From the script. Tutors may change how they like. Have FUN!!
PERHAPS attach a Video and Sound link.-Another job?
Please Note, All Sources and Acknowledgements are at the end of each appropriate book.

 

SIGNPOST to EARLY AUSTRALIA.

TEACHER’S use.

Until the 18th century, most people in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, lived of the land Britain had a population of about 5.7 million in 1750.

Most people worked in an agricultural existence, defined by harvest seasons and the social elite, until along came Roads—Steam Engines—Railways—Canals—Factories and Mills, usually powered by Coal.

James Watt, Scottish Scientist developed efficient Steam Engines. Trade within the British Empire became very important.

Small holding (farms) peasant families, gave way to ”Capitalist Large Farms.” The legal act was called the “INCLOSURE ACTS. Open fields and common land began to be swallowed up. The displaced Peasants had to get day labour somewhere, or commence stealing to live. That gave rise to the overwhelming people sentenced to death for some 230 crimes at its peak. It also gave rise to sending convicts to Australia, when America won its Independence from Britain.

 

TASTE of our early PEOPLE

TEACHER’S use

Thomas Henty, whilst being a Gentleman farmer, also inherited money. His large Family, and what they would do in later life occupied his thoughts a great deal. King George of England and Captain John Macarthur from Parramatta, rated his Sheep and Farming methods very highly. Particularly the flocks of Spanish Merino Sheep that gave such a ‘fine’ class of wool, that suited the Manufacturing Mills of England and Scotland..

Henty also formed, with several others, a small Rural Bank. However after conversations with Captain Macarthur and William Wentworth, who was in Britain at the time, he decided that emigration to Australia was the best thing for his large Family.

He selected the area known as the Swan River in Western Australia near modern Perth. The Land would be given free to settlers. The British Government was trying to put a ring of settlements around Australia so that it would hopefully discourage the French from occupying parts of Australia

 

POTENTAIL PLAYERS as HISTORICAL CHARACTERS:

Act 1.
Mrs. Mary Bushby (Servant of James Henty)-- James Henty (aged 22)-- Stephen Henty ( aged 17)
Mrs. Stirling Lieutenant Governor’s wife-- Mrs Bussell (companion of Mrs. Stirling

Henry Camfield ( a fellow settler)—John Henty (aged 16) The Lieutenant Governor, Captain Stirling.

Act 2.
Thomas Henty. Thomas Archer. William Archer. Turf Club Chairman. Commissioner of Police.
Chief Magistrate. Chief Customs Officer. Launceston Town Clerk.

Act 3.
Mrs. Henty ( wife of Thomas). Old Mrs. Jane Hen ty. Newspaper Reporter. Young (20 year old)Mrs. Jane Henty. Young (21 year old Mrs. Jane Henty. Miss Pace (sister of Mrs. Jane Henty). Mrs. Eliza Henty ( wife of the Frank Henty} Mrs. Byass (wife of Doctor Byass) Mary- Household Servant.

 

 

Download PDF Slide Show of PICTURES and Additional History Information

Click to view separate ACTs below DOWNLOAD COMPLETE PLAY PDF
ACT 1. 8 People (5 Boys, 3 Girls) --> READ ACT 1
ACT 2. 8 People (8 Boys) --> READ ACT 2
ACT 3.1 4 People (1 Boys, 3 Girls) --> READ ACT 3 Scene 1
ACT 3.2 5 People (1 Boys, 4 Girls) --> READ ACT 3 Scene 2
ACT 3.3 6 People (1 Boys, 5 Girls) --> READ ACT 3 Scene 3
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